NZQA registered unit standard
8349 version 5
Page 1 of 3
Title
Demonstrate knowledge of the history and philosophy of embalming
and its legal and ethical responsibilities
Level
4
Purpose
Credits
10
This unit standard is for people working in the embalming
industry.
People credited with this unit standard are able to: outline the
history of embalming; outline the philosophy of embalming; and
identify and explain the ethical and legal issues associated with
embalming.
Classification
Funeral Services > Embalming
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
1
Competence demonstrated in this unit standard must comply with the requirements
of the Funeral Services Training Trust of New Zealand’s Industry Code of Ethics
available at http://www.fstt.org.nz.
2
References
References may include but are not limited to – Burton, GRW & Engelkirk, PG,
Burton's Microbiology for the Health Sciences (9th Edition) (Baltimore, MD: Lippincott,
Williams & Wilkins, 2010); Mayer, RG, Embalming History, Theory and Practice (5th
Edition) (New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2011); Mayer, JS, Colour and Cosmetics: The
Consummation of Restorative Art (Dallas, TX: Professional Training Schools, 1991);
Raymond, KW, General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry: An Integrated Approach
(Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2010); Spriggs, AO, Champion Restorative Art
(6th Edition) (Springfield, OH: The Champion Company, 1968).
3
Legislation relevant to this unit standard may include but is not limited to – Births,
Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Act 1995; Burial and Cremation
Act 1964; Coroners Act 2006; Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996;
Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992; Health Act 1956; Health (Burial)
Regulations 1946; Human Tissue Act 2008; Resource Management Act 1991; and
relevant territorial authority bylaws.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Outline the history of embalming.
Funeral Service Training Trust of New Zealand
SSB Code 101575
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
8349 version 5
Page 2 of 3
Evidence requirements
1.1
Ancient Egyptian embalming to contemporary embalming is outlined in terms of
the transition of embalming practice and the role of the embalmer.
1.2
The historical development of embalming is outlined in terms of cultural
embalming practices.
Range
1.3
cultural embalming practices include but are not limited to –
Egyptian, European, North American, New Zealand European,
Māori.
The outline identifies the history and development of ethical standards for
embalming in New Zealand.
Outcome 2
Outline the philosophy of embalming.
Evidence requirements
2.1
The purpose and value of embalming is outlined in terms of its importance as
part of a modern funeral service.
2.2
The purpose and value of embalming is outlined in terms of its socio-cultural
impact.
Outcome 3
Identify and explain the ethical and legal issues associated with embalming.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Acts, regulations, and territorial authority bylaws are identified and explained in
terms of their relationship to the process of embalming.
3.2
The ethical and legal responsibilities an embalmer has to the deceased, families
and/or representatives of the deceased are identified and explained in terms of
the Industry Code of Ethics.
Planned review date
31 December 2016
Funeral Service Training Trust of New Zealand
SSB Code 101575
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
8349 version 5
Page 3 of 3
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
8 November 1996
31 December 2013
Revision
2
16 May 2000
31 December 2013
Review
3
20 September 2002
31 December 2013
Review
4
21 September 2007
31 December 2013
Review
5
19 April 2012
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0221
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Funeral Service Training Trust of New Zealand fstt@fstt.org.nz if you
wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Funeral Service Training Trust of New Zealand
SSB Code 101575
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016